{
  "id": 10758285,
  "title": "Questions raised as audit finds Nova Scotia not making full use of student test data",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/questions-raised-as-audit-finds-nova-scotia-not-making-full-use-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T19:04:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12077310/nova-scotia-student-assessments/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nova Scotia's auditor general, Kim Adair, has raised concerns about the province's lack of clear targets for student performance and an action plan to address poor test results. The report, released on Tuesday, reviews provincial student assessments conducted by the Department of Education in Grades 3, 6, and 8. Adair noted that while reading results remain stable, writing and math outcomes have been declining for students as they progress from elementary to junior high. Specifically, writing results are persistently low in Grade 3 and Grade 6, with only 43 per cent and 49 per cent of students meeting expectations in the 2024-25 school year, respectively. Math performance is also concerning, with only 77 per cent of Grade 3 students and 54 per cent of Grade 8 students meeting expectations.\n\nThe report finds that the Department of Education spent $700,000 in 2024-25 on administering and marking provincial assessments, but Adair asserts that the department has not adequately used the test results to inform its decisions. She emphasizes the importance of implementing the information to make changes and improve outcomes, stating that \"given the significant public resources and time invested every year, it's important the department applies this information to make decisions and make changes.\"\n\nTo address these issues, the AG report makes 11 recommendations, primarily focused on linking test results to action from the Department of Education. The auditor general also suggests making the testing results more accessible on the department's website. Adair recommended that the province set specific targets at the regional center for education (RCE) level, as opposed to soft targets, and that the department develop strategies to achieve these targets. She chose to focus on two RCEs: the Tri-County Regional Centre for Education and the Strait Regional Centre for Education. Adair observed that the Tri-County RCE had more positive results with literacy and math resources allocation, suggesting that other regions could learn from their practices.\n\nClaudia Chender, leader of the official Opposition, criticized the report, stating that the recommendations are common-sense measures that any reasonable parent would expect to be in place already. She claimed that the report raises serious questions about the government's approach to education. The Department of Education has agreed to implement the report's recommendations, with target implementation dates ranging from January 2027 to September 2028.",
  "summary": "Nova Scotia's auditor general says the province lacks an action plan to address poor test results, as students continue to face challenges in reading, writing, and math.",
  "key_points": [
    "Auditor General Kim Adair questions Nova Scotia's lack of clear student performance targets.",
    "Department spent $700,000 on assessments but hasn't fully utilized results to inform decisions."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}